Application of artificial mussels (AMs) under South African marine conditions: A validation study

► This is the first study to apply artificial devices as a monitoring tool for metal exposure in South African marine waters. ► This is the first study in 30 years to assess exposure of mussels to metals along the entire South African coastline. ► Correlations between the AM and P. perna were absent for certain metals but AMs detected all five metals analysed for. ► Metal uptake by AMs are affected by biofouling and turbulence caused by wave action. ► The ecological limitation of AMs is that they only reflect uptake of the dissolved metal and not particulate fractions. Over the last three decades there has been a significant decline in the number of marine pollution monitoring-related studies in South Africa. Thus, the current study was conducted to assess the current state of metal contamination within the South African marine environment through the validation of the artificial mussel (AM). Indigenous reference mussels (Perna perna) were deployed alongside the passive device within the South African marine environment for a 6week exposure period. Analysis of metal uptake (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) was determined by filtration and elution of the AM chelex resins, microwave digestion of the transplanted mussels, and determination of their metal concentrations by ICP-MS and ICP-OES analysis. Uptake patterns between the AM and transplanted mussels showed significant temporal and spatial correlation for the majority of the elements analysed. While the AM provided relevant and complementary information on the dissolved metal concentrations, limitations were also observed.